The Monarch - Book 4

The Hero

Alek jerks back in shock. He struggles more against the puppet, wanting to help.

Dark Lord looks at Timber sharply and grabs him, yanking him to the chair and attaching him to it. "Actually... let me give a demonstration..." Timbers eyes widen with fear and he growls, struggling. Bridgette shakes her head "No no no!"

Alek's shouts are muffled, coming out as strangled screams. He pulls and kicks and bites the puppet, his eyes narrowed.

The puppets hardly reacts, and Timber struggles more. "UNHAND ME!"
Dark Lord marches over to a lever, and his hand grips it. Timber goes pale "No..... no.... no NO NO NO!!!" He struggles more and feels the tubes connect to him. Bridgette shakes her head and cries "HELP HIM STOP IT PLEASE!!!!"

Alek growls, forcing his jaw together. The bones of the puppet break, allowing him to rip the hands off of him, he sprints, ramming his shoulder into the Dark Lord with a shout.

Dark Lord let's go of the lever and falls back, catching himself quickly. Timber struggles from the tubes and Bridgette thrashes. "ALEK!"
Dark Lord growls and grabs Alek's neck.

Alek knees the Dark Lord and hits his forehead against him, trying to make him let go, feeling his breathing become strangled.

Dark Lord doesn't react, and he continues gripping Alek's neck as he grabs the lever again. Timbers eyes widen and Bridgette's breathing becomes heavy as she looks him in the eyes, hers laced with fear. Dark Lord then yanks down the lever, and Timbers scream fills the room as the calro powder activates.
Bridgette screams of agony and Timber screams of pain, Dark Lord watching with an empty expression and Nixxiom shutting his eyes tightly.

Alek's hands claw at those around his neck, his strength becoming spent as his oxygen gets less and less. He tries to kick the lever, trying desperately to turn it off.

His kick does nothing, and Dark Lord holds tighter to his neck, his eyes still on Timber. Timber continues screaming, and darkness swirls around him as if tearing at his skin, the calro powder taking his existence away. Bridgette's eyes slit and her ears pin back. She begins pulling with all her might at one of the chains, shaking and holding her breath as she tries to break them. There is a small snap, and Dark lords grip loosens as he turns to Bridgette.

Alek clenches his jaw, lifting up and bringing down his elbow on his arm, causing his grip to slip, Alek falling to his feet with a gasp for air. He glances at Timber before trying to knock the Dark Lord away from the lever, reaching with one hand to turn it off.

Dark Lord grabs Alek and throws him across the room. Walking over with his sword in hand. Timber continues to suffer and Bridgette is now dangling from one chain, still struggling.

Alek eyes his sword, pulling himself with effort to his feet. Alek stood, his thought reviewing his training with Karon. 'The sword,' he thought. 'If I can disarm him...'

As Timbers life is sucked away, Dark Lord twirls his sword between his fingers and aims, waiting for Alek's first move.

Alek swiftly pulls to one side, his eyes set on Dark Lord, moving to his side, still tense and ready. He tries to move to the other side of him, trying to throw him off.

Dark Lord hardly notices and briskly strikes at Alek, his movements perfect. Alek sees his form, dodging to one side, his movements easy to read.

Dark Lord kicks him across the room and turns back to timber, putting his sword away. "You're next, Alekar..."

Alek slides, his back hitting the wall with a powerful force. He lifts his head, his eyes set on the lever. "Keep... going..." he grunts, bringing himself to his knees.

Dark Lord continues walking, his figure terrifyingly calm.

Alek stands, his back burning. He takes heavy steps, moving towards the lever with effort.

Dark Lord turns and kicks Alek again, making sure he hits the wall again. Bridgette screams for Timber and struggles more, but it's too late. Dark Lord walks to the machine, and pulls the lever. Timbers body collapses off the chain, the power refilling. Bridgette cries "Let me see him! P-PLEASE!" Dark Lord looks at her then nods once, snapping his fingers. She falls to the ground, and runs to Timber, almost forgetting about Alek. Dark Lord turns to Alek.

Alek lay still, his back aching. He brought his hand down to the floor, shakily bringing himself to his knees once more. He tried to move forward, only to fall to his knees again.

Dark Lord stands before him, darkness swirling.
Timber looks at Bridgette, shaking. "B-bridgette.... f-forgive me....?" Her eyes widen at his voice and she rushes to him, weak yet her adrenaline fueling her. "Yes Timber... I forgive you..." She falls on her knees before him and tries to lift him, except his body turns to dust. Horror fills her, and she trembles, her breath failing to leave. "T-timber...?" Her hands hold the dust, and her eyes move to Alek, her ears lowered. She sees Dark Lord over him.
Dark Lord bends next to Alek. "You are very determind... what for?"

Alek tries to stand once more, having to lean against the wall to stay up. "Y-you're someone who just hurt someone- killed someone." Alek leans forward. "You're corrupt, you're evil. You deserve to be stopped..."

"Indeed. That is in your eyes. But you have killed, she has killed, everyone has done something horrible in their life. What makes you more able to live than I?" He turns and walks back to Bridgette, grabbing her wrist and shoving her away from the chair. He snaps and makes Timber's dust disappear. Bridgette cries and whimpers, too weak to move anymore.

"Don't touch her!" Alek says with strength that his body couldn't bring. He stumbled forward, his back stinging as he took a few more aching steps.

Dark Lord looks at him and keeps a blank expression. He bows, motioning to the chair. "Your throne awaits... King Of Alcor...." Bridgette shakes her head, crying. "N-no please!" Dark Lord walks to her slowly.

"I would never submit. Not when I know that leaves others helpless." Alek holds his ground, not trusting his legs to take him farther.

"Sit... on... your... throne.... boy..." Dark Lord turns to him with narrowed eyes.

Alek doesn't move. "I am no fool." He lifts his head. "You've let power and thought of revenge get to you. I listen not to a madman."

"Madman....?" Dark Lord stares before forgetting Bridgette and walking to Alek slowly. He chuckles low. "Who are you to tell me what I am...?"

"I am someone who sees truth." Alek keeps his eyes on Dark Lord. "You go by logic, yet how you perceive things is biased."

"And you perceive things by opinion... you have no truth. Just, opinion." He grabs Alek and shoves him into the chair, attaching the tubes to him and moving slowly to the lever.

Alek is calm. "Opinion sways nations. It heals. Logic... it can tear at a being until they know no right from wrong." He looks to Bridgette. "My dearest monarch. My love, I'm sorry."

Tears stream down her face and she shakes her head, unable to speak. Dark Lord ignores his words, trying to hide their truth, and he turns on the machine. Incredible pain is thrusted into Alek.

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A/N: NOOOOO TIMBER IS DEAD AND ALL IS DYINNNGG But we're almost done so yay.